Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being pulled into, and crushed by the rotating parts of a pipe threading machine; a) On 3/25/92, Fourth Floor Employees operating a portable electric Rigid 300 pipe threader which was activated by a toggle switch that would not automatically shut the machine off. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to establish and enforce adequate safe operating procedures. Procedures such as those stipulated in American National Standard for Portable Pipe Threading Machines (ANSI B208 1-1982). Elements essential to an acceptable safe operating procedure include at a minimum. 1) Installation of a momentary contact device (deadman foot pedal) to control power input to the machine. This device would automatically stop the machine and its rotating parts if the operator's foot was removed from the pedal. 2) Provide training and education to the machine operators concerning all appropriate procedures for safe operation and use of this type of machinery.